Chapter 133: The Mudblood
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After House Vardros left the receiving room, the door closed quietly behind them.
For a while, Prince Caelan did not speak.
He stood near the table with one hand resting on the folded map of Valoria. The lamp light fell over his golden yellow hair and made his face look older than it had in the street. The careless pride from earlier had not fully vanished, but it had become quieter. Meeting Lucard Vardros had clearly left something behind in him.
Sir Aldric Veyne stood near the window and watched the dark courtyard below. He waited until the footsteps of the Vardros family disappeared completely before turning around.
"Your Highness," Aldric said, "you must be careful with Lucard Vardros."
Caelan looked at him. "You have said that with your eyes five times already."
"Then let me say it with words as well. He is dangerous."
Caelan smiled faintly. "Most useful people are."
"Not like him," Aldric said. "He does not speak like a desperate fallen noble. He does not move like a young man who only recently learned power. He insulted you, tested you, claimed old blood in front of an imperial envoy, and still somehow made it sound like a reasonable question."
Caelan touched the edge of the table. "He asked what every abandoned bloodline would ask."
"Yes," Aldric said. "But most abandoned bloodlines ask it with tears or anger. He asked it like a knife being placed on a table."
The prince did not deny it.
Aldric continued, "He is cunning. He is bold. He knows when to bend just enough and when to stand just far enough. That is not common. He also carries real battle results. Dorian Velkhur died. Garran Velkhur died. Robi Marovain is treating him like a dangerous partner instead of a rescued stray. Celia Marovain watches him too closely. Ravencroft fears him. And his own family trusts him without hesitation."
Caelan looked toward the closed door.
"The younger brother trusts him most."
"Yes," Aldric said. "That may be the most important part. Jake Vardros did not look at Lucard like a tyrant. He looked at him like a wall."
Caelan was silent for a moment.
Then he said, "Do you think he knows more than he showed?"
Aldric’s answer came without delay. "Yes."
Caelan glanced at him. "About the seal?"
"Possibly. About danger, certainly. Lady Jenny was acting surprised, but not perfectly. She is careful, but she is not trained for imperial rooms. Jake was harder to judge because he is a child. Peter’s shock was real. Lucard gave almost nothing."
The prince’s eyes narrowed slightly. "So they knew."
"I believe they knew pieces."
Caelan smiled. "Good."
Aldric frowned. "Good?"
"If they knew nothing, they would be helpless. If they knew everything, they would be hiding too much. Pieces mean they can still be guided."
"Or they can guide us without us noticing."
Caelan looked amused. "You are very cheerful tonight."
"I am alive because I am rarely cheerful during duty."
The prince gave a small laugh, then became serious again. "I know Lucard is dangerous. I am not blind. But danger is not always an enemy. Sometimes danger is a bridge. Sometimes danger is a dog you feed before someone else teaches it to bite you."
Aldric’s face stayed calm. "Lucard Vardros is not a dog, Your Highness."
"No," Caelan said. "He is closer to a young wolf that has already tasted blood."
"That is still too soft."
Caelan looked back at him. "Then what would you call him?"
Aldric thought for a moment. "A sealed blade found in a ruined house. It may protect the hand that holds it, or it may cut through the palm."
The prince smiled. "That sounds like something my father would say."
"His Majesty would say it better."
"Of course he would. He is old enough to make even simple warnings sound like history."
Aldric did not smile, but his eyes softened slightly.
Caelan walked toward the window and looked down at the courtyard. The Vardros carriage was already gone, but the road outside still carried the memory of it.
"He will shock the capital one day," Caelan said.
Aldric watched him carefully.
Caelan continued, "Not today. Not tomorrow. But one day, if he lives, he will enter Valorain and make the old houses forget how to speak. I saw it in his eyes. He does not want a chair given to him. He wants a room forced to accept him."
"That kind of man creates enemies."
"Everyone in the capital already has enemies. At least Lucard may become an enemy worth having or a friend worth keeping."
"Your Highness."
Caelan turned from the window. "I know. I will not trust him blindly. I will not hand him secrets like toys. I will observe him. I will keep a good relationship where possible. If he grows useful to the royal family, I will not stand in his way."
"And if he grows dangerous to the royal family?"
The prince did not answer quickly.
Then he said, "Then we will need to understand him before anyone else does."
Aldric gave a small nod. "That is wiser."
Caelan looked at the folded document on the table. "After the announcement of his acting head position is complete, we should prepare to leave Gravehold."
Aldric’s brows moved slightly. "So soon?"
"My father did not send me here to enjoy tomb dust and noble staring contests. We delivered the decree. We met House Vardros. The city knows the emperor is watching. Staying longer gives every house more chances to perform lies in front of us."
"There are still reports to hear."
"We can hear enough tomorrow morning," Caelan said. "Then we leave after the announcement."
Aldric considered it. "And the captured Velkhur knight?"
"We take him with us."
Aldric’s eyes sharpened. "You are certain?"
"Yes. Inform Robi Marovain to hand him over. A prisoner like that should not remain under one duke family’s shop while the emperor has forbidden private conflict. If Marovain keeps him, Velkhur will accuse them. If Velkhur receives him, Marovain will accuse them. If Ravencroft hears where he is, someone foolish may try to kill him. Better that he travels under imperial custody."
Aldric nodded slowly. "That will anger both Marovain and Velkhur."
"Good," Caelan said. "Balanced anger is easier to manage than one pleased side."
Aldric looked at the prince with a quiet expression.
Caelan noticed. "What?"
"You are learning."
The prince’s face stiffened. "I was already capable."
"Of being royal, yes. Of being useful, you are improving."
Caelan stared at him, then looked away. "Tell Robi before dawn. Make it polite enough that he cannot refuse without looking guilty."
"I will."
Caelan looked at the closed door once more.
"And Aldric."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"If Lucard Vardros asks about the prisoner..."
"He will."
"Tell him imperial custody is safer."
Aldric’s eyes became dry. "He will not like that answer."
Caelan smiled faintly. "I know."
The next morning, Gravehold woke before the sun fully rose.
News of the imperial decree had already run through the city like fire through dry grass. Ten years without noble fighting inside the city. Execution for those who broke it. Marovain and Velkhur ordered to stop. Other involved houses also chained by the emperor’s word. Some common people were relieved. Merchants opened their shops with careful hope. Innkeepers whispered that peace was good for business. Carriage drivers whispered that peace ordered by the emperor usually meant someone important had been frightened.
Nobles did not sleep well.
By midmorning, the Crown Rest House opened its front court for a formal announcement.
Not everyone was allowed inside. The space was limited, and the imperial guards controlled the gate with cold politeness. Representatives from Marovain, Velkhur, Ravencroft, Karswell, several count families, city officials, and registered witnesses were allowed to stand inside the outer court. Others gathered outside the walls, hoping to hear something useful.
House Vardros arrived under Marovain escort.
Jenny walked with calm dignity. Jake stayed beside her, trying not to look nervous. Peter stood behind them with his hand near his sword but not on it. Lucard walked slightly ahead, dressed in black, his face calm enough to annoy every person who wanted to see fear.
Robi Marovain stood with Celia near the left side of the court. Celia looked at Lucard as he entered, then looked away quickly when he noticed. Robi looked amused and tired at the same time.
Across the court stood Lady Mirena Velkhur.
Her red hair was tied in a tighter braid than yesterday. Her military coat looked darker in the morning light. She had brought fewer guards, but the pressure around her was greater. As a Sixth Rank battle mage and elder sister of the current head of House Velkhur, she did not need many people to make others step away.
When Lucard entered, several Velkhur guards muttered under their breath.
"The mudblood is here."
Another laughed.
"Ha Ha Ha, Mudblood."
The word reached enough ears.
Celia’s eyes became cold. Peter’s jaw tightened. Jenny’s face went pale with anger, but she did not turn. Jake’s small hands curled into fists.
Lucard did not react.